Bradenton Police Department announces Officer of the Year

BRADENTON - Chief of Police Michael Radzilowski has announced that Officer Andres Perez has been named the City of Bradenton Police Department’s Officer of the Year for 2012.

Officer Perez began his career with the Bradenton Police Department in March of 2010, and is currently assigned to the Patrol Operations Division - District 2 (West Bradenton).

On July 26, 2012, at approximately 3:23 a.m., Officer Perez responded to a complaint of a 15-year-old female who was attempting to commit suicide with a knife. Officer Perez arrived, and discovered a locked bedroom door, where the female was supposedly barricaded. Officer Perez removed his personal knife, and was able to gain entry into the bedroom. Upon entry to the room, Officer Perez observed the young female sitting on the floor of the bedroom closet with a belt tied around her neck and the other end of the belt was tied to the closet hanger rod. Officer Perez found that the female was not breathing, and that she had self-inflicted lacerations on her left wrist.

Officer Perez immediately used his knife, and cut the belt from the rod, which relieved the pressure from the female’s neck. Officer Perez’s quick reaction to this life threatening situation, allowed the female to start breathing again. Officer Perez continued to monitor the female’s medical condition, until emergency medical assistance arrived. The female was taken into protective custody and was admitted to a local hospital for medical evaluation.

Concluding, if Officer Perez had not taken immediate action, this child may not have survived. Officer Perez’ actions are keeping within the highest traditions of the Bradenton Police Department.